Virat Kohli Returns to Vijay Hazare Trophy After 15 Years as DDCA Confirms Participation

Virat Kohli has officially informed the Delhi and District Cricket Association that he will play the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, bringing clarity at last to all the speculation around his availability. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley confirmed the update, adding that the highly awaited domestic 50 over event begins on December 24, with Delhi opening their campaign against Andhra Pradesh. This settles the buzz suggesting Virat Kohli might skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy despite the Indian cricket management reportedly insisting that both Kohli and Rohit Sharma participate to gain valuable game time before the 2027 World Cup.

Kohli and Rohit Sharma made their international returns in October 2025 during the Australia series, which reignited discussions about their roles in the 2027 World Cup. Several reports before the Australia tour hinted that playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy could be a key requirement for selection. The management has not committed to finalising any names yet, reminding everyone that the 2027 World Cup is still two years away. This has kept the spotlight firmly on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and the broader Indian cricket roadmap.

One of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket has been the decision to hand the ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma to Shubman Gill. While this reportedly caused some friction, both senior players have let their performances speak. In the recent ODI against South Africa, Virat Kohli smashed 135 runs while Rohit Sharma added 57, and together they stitched a strong 136 run stand. Their chemistry also clicked earlier in the Sydney ODI, where Rohit remained unbeaten on 121 and Virat Kohli supported him with 74 not out to secure another big win for Indian cricket.

After receiving the Player of the Match award, Virat Kohli made a comment that many interpreted as a subtle response to the directive from Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir about playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Kohli stated that he does not need excessive preparation, which instantly triggered discussion online about the ongoing dynamics between the Indian cricket management, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The relationship between Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir has now become a trending subject in cricket circles and social media. Rumours suggest a communication gap between the senior players and Gambhir, adding strain to the dressing room environment. After India won the first ODI, cameras spotted Virat Kohli walking past Gautam Gambhir without making eye contact, fuelling even more speculation around the Indian cricket setup and the impact it might have ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the 2027 World Cup cycle.

There was another moment on Tuesday afternoon when cameras at Ranchi airport captured selector Pragyan Ojha having an animated conversation with Virat Kohli before the team left for Raipur. Interestingly, Ojha had been seated with Gautam Gambhir shortly before he approached Kohli, adding even more curiosity to the ongoing chatter surrounding Indian cricket.

Earlier this year, the BCCI made it mandatory for all centrally contracted players to take part in domestic cricket whenever their schedule allowed. This rule ensures players remain eligible for national selection. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have complied with similar guidelines in the past by playing in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi and Mumbai. The renewed emphasis on domestic cricket has once again put the Vijay Hazare Trophy front and center, especially with India planning ahead for the 2027 World Cup.

Virat Kohli is expected to feature in the Indian squad for the three match ODI series against New Zealand beginning January 11. He will likely join the Indian cricket camp a couple of days before the series. This indicates that Kohli will play multiple matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 26. However, which exact matches he plays is still uncertain, as he is expected to travel to London after the South Africa series wraps up on December 6.

Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy schedule includes group stage matches against Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Odisha, Services, Railways and Haryana. All group games will conclude before January 11, which gives Virat Kohli a solid opportunity to contribute significantly to Delhi cricket and sharpen his form ahead of New Zealand.

The last time Virat Kohli played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was way back in 2010 when he captained Delhi against Services. His return after 15 years is being seen as a major boost for Delhi cricket, which has faced disappointing runs in both the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in recent seasons. With his presence, the expectation is that Delhi cricket will regain stability and momentum.

Rohan Jaitley expressed his excitement and said that Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and that the association is looking forward to having him back. This confirmation marks one of the most anticipated comebacks in Indian cricket’s domestic scene and adds even more weight to the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy as the country builds towards the 2027 World Cup.